Coaching is not the only way to income growth

Ok. So here’s the rant. Yet another “would be struggling” entrepreneur has hit my inbox with a “new coaching program they’ve started” so that they can “reach more people — we’ve been asking for it” and frankly, I’m a bit sick of it.

I see this cycle over and over again. The entrepreneur who’s had “relative” success in business. They want to make millions and millions of dollars THIS YEAR and in order to do so, they are told they need to coach.

Now, I’m all for packaging your services to help more people. That’s not what I’m talking about here. But I can’t even count on my hand how many “group coaching programs” have been launched in the past year where the owner saw it as a rags-to-riches easy road.

And here’s what happens. Some of those coaches do make it to six… ahem… or even seven figures. AND they walk away with a lot of disappointed clients because they didn’t deliver.

I’ve always admired the person who can “work” their craft and “teach” their craft but what I see here, what I’m talking about in this post, is the person who couldn’t “work their craft (ie, make money doing what they wanted to do) so instead they decide to teach what they THINK they know.

Kinda makes me sick.

I have always been an advocate of mentoring and lifelong learning so don’t mistake this post for an anti-coaching stance. Here’s my advice: Be sure anyone you coach with has had, and continues to have, real field experience in the industry you’re getting coached in. Otherwise, when the road takes a turn and their techniques don’t work for you, you’ll be out of money, out of solutions, and outraged. Tread wisely.

6 Responses to Coaching is not the only way to income growth

So true. It’s always best to ask advice from someone who is where you want to be. In college, my favorite photography professor was the only one who had worked in the field as a freelancer for years prior to teaching. Very important!

Amen Beatrice, I totally agree. There are lots of coaches and not all have the success personally that they teach or try to teach. Worthy coaches exist but it’s a harder task finding them. Thanks for speaking out on this touchy subject.

What a great post. It’s so true that there are more and more coaches popping up everywhere. I had a coach and learned a valuable lesson from working with them. The number one take away would be to make sure that coach is exactly where you want to be. Otherwise, they are just teaching what they “think” they know.

I’m coach free at the moment, but if I meet someone who is exactly where I want to be, I may consider them. All others who make their money from just coaching others will be off my list, unless, I’m looking to make my money from coaching;-).

I think you and I are on the same mailing lists, Beatrice. And I have the exact same reaction – if a coaching program is your primary product, I’m not convinced you’ve mastered your craft. I think a coaching program should be something you roll out after years in the business, not as an introductory service.

Ahhh, you have certainly helped me with this post! I send newsletters and have other email campaigns myself, but this is a great way to build your list and get more clients. Good stuff. Also, jealous about the in person mastermind, sounds like it is a great way to learn new ideas for business growth.

I’m currently trying out a new coach and she is so disappointing. I love how she suggests that I ask the other members for advice–what am I paying for? To work with a coach or no coach…that is the question. Great post!